Exclusive: Travis Barker's Shocking DM Revealed Moments Before Tragic Titan Accident

Brian Szasz shared what he claimed to be a direct message from Travis Barker, just before it was confirmed that his stepfather, Hamish Harding, had died in the Titan submersible incident. Szasz, who had gained attention for attending a Blink-182 concert while the Titan was still missing, posted a screenshot on his Instagram Story on June 22. The screenshot showed a message from Barker, allegedly sent on June 19, expressing prayers for Szasz and his family.

In reply, Szasz informed Barker that he would be present at Blink-182's performance in San Diego that evening. Szasz expressed his gratitude, stating, "Thanks for the love fam," along with a caption on the screenshot.

Courtesy of Brian Szasz/Instagram

The United States Coast Guard has confirmed the discovery of debris from the Titan on the ocean floor, approximately 1,600 feet away from the wreckage of the Titanic. Rear Admiral John Mauger stated in a news conference that the debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, emphasizing the harsh conditions of the sea floor. However, it is still too early to determine when exactly the implosion occurred. The Titan, carrying five passengers including Harding, 58, had been missing since Sunday, June 18. It lost contact with the surface ship approximately one hour and 45 minutes into its dive, with the intention of resurfacing later that day.

In addition to Harding, the other four passengers on board included Stockton Rush, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood, and his son, Suleman. Rush, who was 61 years old, served as the founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the Titan. It is worth noting that Rush's wife, Wendy Rush, is a descendant of Ida and Isidor Strauss, who tragically lost their lives on the Titanic in 1912.

OceanGate confirmed on Thursday the deaths of the five men who were on board the Titan, after the Coast Guard discovered a debris field in the North Atlantic Ocean. The company, which has been offering tours to the wreckage of the Titanic since 2021, expressed their deep sorrow and paid tribute to their CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Describing them as true explorers with a passion for ocean exploration and conservation, OceanGate extended their condolences to the families of the deceased, acknowledging the loss of their vibrant presence and positive impact on those who knew them.

Szasz has not made any public statements regarding the finding of the Titan debris. In the past, he reached out to his Facebook followers, requesting their thoughts and prayers when it was revealed that Harding was one of the passengers on the Titan. Additionally, in a tweet that has since been deleted, he sought the support of Barker and his fellow bandmates, Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge, during this difficult time.